Chapter 286

Chapter 286:

Adrian’s leg was gradually healing, but Stella was about to face the custody battle. She couldn’t figure out what was going on with RK. Lately, he had been in an unusually good mood, which made Stella feel awkward about confronting him over the message he sent earlier.

The court hearing was approaching, and Stella was incredibly nervous.

RK smiled and joked, “Don’t worry. Even if I win, you can come to see Adrian every day!”

Stella took his words as provocation, and her anger flared up instantly.

“RK, you’re so shameless! I’m telling you, if you take Adrian away, I’ll end my life!”

“Oh, then you better prepare yourself because you’ll have to go through with it,” RK teased.

“You... even if I do, I’ll drag you down with me! I’ll take you with me to the bottom of a building for a terrible death!”

“Oh, I’m so scared!” RK responded mockingly.

Every conversation between them seemed to end in a fight.

RK told himself each time that Stella was going through a critical period, and her temper was understandable. As a man, he should be more patient. But every time they talked, he would lose his temper and end up arguing with her. This lack of composure and control was unlike anything he’d experienced before.

However, he found that these quarrels, despite everything, were strangely enjoyable.

The day before the court hearing, Adrian’s leg was almost fully recovered, and he could walk without any problems. Stella didn’t know whether to feel happy or anxious.

“Darling, don’t be sad. I’ll be with you. Don’t be afraid!” Adrian said comfortingly.

gαℓησν풆ℓs．풸허헺 brings magic to life At this point, Adrian had been discharged from the hospital. He lay comfortably on his little bed, watching cartoons, surrounded by toys.

Stella marveled at how many toys Adrian had acquired during his stay in the hospital, more than she could have bought him in a year. Adrian proudly declared that it was a “benefit of being sick.” Most of these toys had been gifts from RK, and Adrian was having the time of his life.

Adrian’s affection for RK had completely erased any lingering resentment. Stella wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or not. She could only hope that Adrian wouldn’t want to leave her.

In the days leading up to the hearing, Tristan had been busy, but he still found time to help Stella prepare. She appreciated his support, though she had no intention of being romantically involved with him.

Given her complicated relationship with the Richard family, she knew that a future with Tristan wasn’t in the cards. She decided that after the lawsuit, she would make things clear to him.

On the day of the court hearing, Tristan arrived early to pick Stella up. She looked pale, as if she hadn’t slept all night.

“Stella, are you okay? Did you sleep at all?” Tristan asked, concerned.

“No, I had a bit of insomnia,” she admitted.

That morning, Stella had gotten up early to drop Adrian off at kindergarten. She didn’t want him involved in the hearing or in such a serious environment as a courtroom.

RK arrived right on time, dressed in a perfectly tailored navy-blue suit. He looked elegant and composed, his CEO aura impossible to hide. People noticed him immediately, and Stella suddenly understood why Sophia had been so eager to marry him. This man was simply the best in the world.

But as soon as RK saw Stella and Tristan together, jealousy surged through him. Of all the people she could ask for help, why did it have to be Tristan? Didn’t she realize Tristan had feelings for her? Did it really not bother her at all? He wanted to comfort her, but his words came out as sarcasm instead.

“Stella, those dark circles under your eyes are huge. Did you not sleep well last night?”

“None of your business!” she snapped and walked into the courtroom, leaving RK fuming. His usual calm expression was replaced with an irritated scowl as he glared at Tristan.

After the trial, Stella sat there in a daze, her mind blank. She listened as her lawyer and RK’s lawyer debated using legal jargon she barely understood. At times, it seemed like her side had the upper hand, but when the final verdict was announced, it was a completely different story.

Days passed before Stella could fully process the result: she had lost custody of Adrian.

She couldn’t understand it. By all measures, she should have won. How did RK manage to win in the end?

At the final trial, she wasn’t even sure how she managed to walk out of the courtroom.

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